Common Questions about Gastric Bypass Surgery

Written by Advanced Surgicare on June 15, 2016

Gastric bypass surgery is one of the types of bariatric surgery Dr. V. Kuzinkovas offers at Advanced Surgicare. Because it is one of the most commonly performed weight loss surgeries, Dr. Kuzinkovas thought it would be wise to answer frequently asked questions about the procedure.

What Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Accomplish?

Gastric bypass is designed to reduce your food intake. Following gastric bypass, you will feel full after consuming a limited amount of food. Additionally, your body will absorb fewer nutrients and calories, encouraging weight loss.

Am I a Candidate for Gastric Bypass?

You may be an ideal candidate for gastric bypass surgery if you:

Have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 (get a BMI estimate with our BMI calculator)

Have a body mass index of at least 30 and have major obesity-related medical problems (e.g., diabetes)

Are at least 18 years old

Have attempted and failed to lose weight through diet and exercise

What Happens During Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass consists of two steps, the first being decreasing the size of the stomach. To do this, your surgeon will divide your stomach into two parts, the smaller section (approximately the size of an egg) being where the food you eat will go. Next, your surgeon will create a small opening between the stomach and the intestine. A part of the small intestine is attached to the smaller stomach pouch. This allows the food to bypass the section of the small intestine that absorbs part of the calories and nutrients.

What Does Gastric Bypass Recovery Entail?

On average, most people require two to five weeks of recovery time before normal activities can resume. How long it takes you to recover will ultimately depend on your post-op care. Strict adherence to your post-op diet is essential for a successful recovery and long-term results. For the first several days, you will need to stick to a clear liquid diet. Once your doctor gives you the green light, you will be able to eat pureed foods. During this time, you will need to drink a lot of fluids, to stay hydrated. Approximately one month after your surgery, you will be able to eat some solid foods. Six months after surgery, you will be able to adopt your long-term diet, which includes eating limited portions of regular foods.

When Can I Start Exercising After Surgery?

Getting up and walking around as soon as you’re physically able to is important for a quick and successful recovery. However, participating in overly strenuous activity too soon can do more harm than good. Your doctor will help you determine when it is most appropriate to resume rigorous exercise, based on your healing process.

What are the Risks of Gastric Bypass?

Gastric bypass risks are very minimal and may include some post-op discomfort and infection. Prior to your surgery, your doctor will go over the risks and potential complications in detail with you.